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9 FIRs, 8 held: Nida's family reacts in Nashik abuse-conversion case

Published On Fri, 17 Apr 2026
Aniket Sharma
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A explosive investigation into sexual harassment and alleged forced religious conversions at a TCS BPO facility in Nashik has led to nine FIRs and eight arrests, with one key accused's family mounting a strong public defense amid swirling claims and counterclaims. Police launched the probe after a February tip-off, deploying seven female officers undercover as housekeeping staff to uncover a pattern of abuse. Victims reported lewd remarks, physical groping, and pressure to adopt Islamic practices—like wearing skullcaps or eating non-vegetarian food despite objections—often under false promises of marriage that ended in assault.

Among those detained are seven men and one female operations manager, charged across multiple complaints from at least 12 identified victims, including both women and one man. Authorities have named 26-year-old Nida Khan, a telecaller labeled the "HR head" and alleged mastermind of a conversion racket, as absconding, though her whereabouts point to Mumbai.

Khan's family vehemently denies the charges, stating she's pregnant, working from home, and never held any HR role since joining in 2021. They dismissed a viral photo as manipulated and accused police of misconduct, with her lawyer preparing anticipatory bail. "No one from the force has reached out to us," a family member told reporters.

TCS responded swiftly by suspending operations at the Nashik center, moving employees to work-from-home, and vowing zero tolerance. Investigators uncovered WhatsApp evidence hinting at ties to a Malaysia-based conversion network, prompting calls for a deeper national probe.

A Supreme Court petition has urged suo motu action, framing the case as a potential security risk. As deleted digital trails are pursued, this scandal echoes past BPO horrors like Bangalore's 2010 call center assaults, underscoring the need for stricter oversight in India's high-stress outsourcing hubs.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.